The Perfect Age For a TBI?

[Negeen]

so I've done some research and apparrently the best age to recover "fully"from a brain injury seems to be right around 25. So if you have to get a clonk on the head please hold off until your mid twenties.

[B_S_A]

I was so close

[SAMBS in reply to B_S_A]

and still are B.S.A......

[SAMBS]

.... I never was a good timekeeper Negeen

........ but please share with us, basically because I'm like the cat called CURIOSITY - which research sources suggest that '25 is 'apparrently the best age to recover "fully"from a brain injury'.

I ask only because the idea intrigues me personally. I don't think having to recover from a brain injury at whatever age is a good thing to have to do and the idea of one age being better than another I find difficult to understand the concept of your research.

So many HW members have had brain injuries at various ages, some from years before they were 25 and many after - all whom have had a variety of problems and degrees of 'improvement' not 'full recovery' - I would so love to hear of a complete recovery from anyone and how it was achieved, because the complexities of the brain and its neural zones after a brain injury and annihilation of some brain cells, lead to so many ill-effects and problems with vision, balance, personality changes, confusion etc etc that a full recovery at any age, let alone '25' would seem to be a 'miracle'.

I'm not being cynical just genuinely interested in your research sources that give rise to your discussion, as perhaps many others will be. Its even given rise to another thought - Over the years from the UK and French health systems have takn more than a few blood tests, prior to March 2013 - perhaps that means my DNA could be found somewhere - and then I could be 'cloned' - do they do brain transplants anywhere yet?

Gosh if they did or could, just imagine the possibilities

[Negeen]

Shirley, I'm posting from my phone. I'm no professional researcher or anything. But It's just from the stories I've been reading and hearing. My friendwas 22 when she had her brain injury and has made a full recovery and is back in school. Susanah cahalan was in her mid twenties when encephalitis hit her. She's fully recovered and written a book. Steven Benvenisti was 25 when he had his tbi, he's fully recovered graduated law school is married, has children and is in full time law. So those r just a few examples.

[BaronC]

My 25th birthday was less than a week before my brain took a good hammering. And I'm still here. It obviously knew I was about the right age to survive, apparently.

Phew, that was close!

[SAMBS in reply to BaronC]

....and still surviving Baron... well done you, with so much future to look forward to as well.

[spartan300]

looks like I am doomed?

[Kathy-jenkins in reply to spartan300]

Snap :).

[SAMBS in reply to spartan300]

[SAMBS in reply to spartan300]

[sospan]

I would say the best age would be when you are around 125, happy to volunteer if someone can ensure I can participate

[CW2002]

I was 23 and maybe you feel invincible at that age, I certainly did, more risks took more chance of it happening.

[Stardrop]

I would say that with any injury including brain damage the young ones make quicker and better physical recovery.

BUT....many older people who have had to deal with setbacks and disappointments and other difficulties in the past are better at adapting and finding new roles, different way to do things and sticking to no drinking and other advice.

Family and friends giving support makes a big difference to your quality of life which has a knock on effect on recovery.

Being financially OK, and settled in appropriate housing takes the stress off. There are lots of factors.

[SAMBS in reply to Stardrop]

Hi Stardrop, agree with some of what you say - but With no family and local friends support here in France for me, that, to be honest has to have been the biggest drawback of all for me. As it would be be for a an english speaking 25 yr old (iving here without their family and not fluent in a non-native language. My age is probably in my favour through all those years of life experience when I lived in the UK.

When dealing with professionals and bureaucrats whose help I have needed over the last year and still do, it all has to be done pretty much much in a language I am not fluent in and when they don't speak english. I genuinely don't think anyone realises how frustrating it is trying to find the right word in french to convey the gist of the discussion. Its like you all getting frustrated at people saying you walk and talk so what's the problem?

I cannot agree that recovery is all down to youth - tts as much down to knowledge, acceptance, determination and perseverance - no matter where you live or whatever language is spoken. You live,learn and adapt to the situation and that is certainly not the prerogative of youth. If it was I would be dead and buried now but thankfully my 67th birthday is in 4 mths.

[thepiercy]

Hi Negeen, grateful if you could point me at the research, What i've read seems to say that the younger the better and over age of 40 recovery tends to be harder.

[SAMBS in reply to thepiercy]

definitely no chance for me then Skipper - given I was 65+ when I had mine last year however like sospan I'm determined to make it to at leas 235!

[Kirk5w7]

Stands to reason that the younger the brain the better it's chances, but I've treated mine like I was starting again with it to make new pathways where necessary, so I do all the things you did as a young child, lots of repition and start with the easiest and gradually increase the complexity. It really hit me when I was watching a toddler walk and that's how I walked, so I've found it has helped me no end, psychologically as well. When I achieve something new it's fantastic xxxx

Ps I don't walk like a toddler any more!!!!!!

[Zoe2345]

Could have told me earlier, I was 10 years off

[SAMBS in reply to Zoe2345]

[Zoe2345 in reply to SAMBS]

Was rather fun the way it happened too, I did a superman off a horse. Literally

[Hidden]

INTERESTING STAT. HOVWEVER I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER A GOOD TIME TO HAVE A BI, THEY'RE MISERABLE TO GO THROUGH AT ANY AGE.

[SAMBS in reply to Hidden]

THATS TRUE!

[Nickyxjx]

I agree 100% with zeblet. BI at any age are devastating life changing heartbreaking events that no family should ever have to go threw xx

[Hidden]

Sod it! I was eight years too early!